4. Demonstrate Need:  Provide any evidence or research-based data and information that demonstrates the need for the proposed program/project.

Back to Basics has consulted with The Elizabeth Fry Society, The David Busby Street Centre, Youth Haven, Community Action Program for Children, New Path, the Salvation Army, and the County of Simcoe Social Services Division. All were in support of offering this project to their participants as they are all in need of new programming and opportunities. All agreed that food security and access to healthy food should be the right of all people. All recognized food’s contribution to physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. All were in support of creating opportunities to empower people to grow food. All recognized the potential this program would offer to enhance people’s employability and skills development.

Other needs that will be met include:

• Need for more nutritious diet -- fresh produce would provide much needed nutrients, ultimately reducing preventable illnesses and relieving some strain on the health care system. Moreover, these fresh organic vegetables would be accessible to those who could not otherwise afford them.
• Need for more urban green space -- the 6 proposed gardens would provide essential green space. A great way to escape from everyday urban life.
• Community involvement -- gardens are an excellent place for community gatherings. They are a focal point of many communities and offer education on gardening techniques. They create a support network, reducing social isolation which leads to a healthier community
• Would provide food security – Passes on the knowledge of how to grow your own healthy produce. Will help build more resilient communities.
• Climate change - growing food locally reduces the amount of fossil fuels needed to import food.
• Exercise -- gardening provides an excellent source of exercise for those of all ages.
• Studies show the following health benefits to be associated with involvement in community gardening: strengthened immunity, reduced rates of asthma, decreased stress, increased overall sense of wellbeing.

For more see: http://www.nsen.ca/documents/Community%20Gardens%20-%20The%20Benefits.pdf

5. Client Information:  Describe the target clients to be served by the program

Homeless Women aged 17-65 who are experiencing challenges with the law and/or mental health/addictions.

Homeless youth aged 13-18 who are experiencing mental health issues.

Adults aged 19-64 who are experiencing mental health issues and living in poverty.

Seniors aged 65 plus who do not have access to services.

People of all ages who are living with mental health issues.

Families with small children living in poverty.  

6. Program/project specifics:

# of FTE (full-time staff equivalent)

1 full time. We hope to add 2 more full-time staff.

# of volunteers

20 core volunteers

# of volunteer hours (anticipated)

2080

# of participants

80

# of participants by category

0-6

Child (7-12)

Youth (13-18)

Adult (19-64)

Senior (>65)

Families (at least one adult and 1 child)

Other

10

20

40

5

5

7.Program/Project Work plan/Logic Model

Goal: To educate and enable people to grow and prepare organic food.

Objective(s):

Objective

Activities

Person(s) Responsible & Time Frame

Outputs

Outcomes

Indicators

Method of Measurement

Build 6 urban gardens.

Find appropriate site, approach land owners, secure leases, mobilize people and equipment, prepare, plant and maintain the gardens.

Andrew Miller organizing staff and volunteers. Gardens must be planted by mid-June.

Produce $10,000 worth of food. Donate 20% of all sales back to agencies and participants as food.

Urban food production. Provides inspiration to others. Raises hope. Empowers the community. Those involved will learn how it’s done.

Gardens producing food. Harvest. Gaining new volunteers through word of mouth. Seeing other garden plots started in the community.

Have participants and volunteers fill out a qualitative survey.

Conducting a 1-2 hour workshop at each plot each week with each agencies.

Organizing appropriate days and times with the agencies. Promoting our workshops at the agencies. Prepare for and teach the workshop.

Andrew Miller organizing staff and volunteers. Workshops must be started by mid-June.

Teaching at least 80 participants in the program.

Increased knowledge, skills and experience in food production. Increasing positive behaviour, attitudes and healthy lifestyles.

Evaluating their skill development.

Recognizing visible changes.

Have participants and volunteers fill out a qualitative survey. Follow up with the agencies to evaluate the participants gains.

8. Please describe how your proposed program/project contributes to the priority selected in question 3.

Safe, supportive & Inclusive Communities

• Education and/or skills development

-teaching a broad range of skills: organic vegetable growing, preparing the soil, seeding, natural pest control, weeding, watering, maintaining, harvesting, business management, marketing, promoting healthy living, cooking, food preparation, storage, equipment maintenance.

• Employability skills

-teaching skills sought out by employers such as punctuality, team work, green workspace etiquette, responsibility, time management, etc,.

• Volunteerism

-not only is volunteering key to success of this project, but it also gives individuals a sense accomplishment, both on a personal and community level.

• Civic Engagement

-gives individuals a sense of belonging and acting amongst a community.

Reduced Cycles of Poverty

• Basic Needs are met

-giving individuals at risk the ability and knowledge to grow their own healthy produce, therefore becoming less dependent on social aid.

• Access to nutritious food

-volunteers can accumulate hours and be compensated with food

-individuals will be shown, first hand, how to grow their own, natural, organic, nutrient rich produce for their own consumption

-food donated to G.A.P. and other agencies.

• Increased safety and stability for individuals and families living in vulnerable communities to prevent crisis and to regain and maintain stability

-urban gardens give a safe and positive meeting, working and networking gathering in central and vulnerable communities. The social interaction and cooperation among volunteers and its surrounding neighbors would give everyone involved much more of a sense of community involvement and therefore a feeling of community pride. This will lead to a safer community.

Strong & Nurturing Families

• Families have their basic needs met

-our fresh, locally grown, nutrient rich produce is provided to families most in need through the G.A.P.

• Increased number of children have access to basic needs

-not only would this project provide fresh, much needed produce to children at risk, it would give those children knowledge of how to grow their own food. Also, these proposed community gardens are a good, healthy social environment, therefore giving those children a feeling of inclusion and support to excel in all basic areas of life.

• Healthy behaviour for youth at risk

-the involved youth would be participating in every step of the gardening process which can be very physically demanding. Socially, this project would give youth a sense of pride, responsibility, and community involvement. This will prevent those at risk from being involved in situations that have proved negative in the past.

• Skills to develop better relationships with family members

-the social skills learned will give families an understanding of the value of cooperation, conflict resolution, problem solving and most importantly team work.

-youth bringing food home to their families is impossible for parents to ignore. This can increase the level of respect a parent has to a troubled youth. There is a strong sense of pride that the farmer feels by providing good, healthy food.

• Resources to more families to increase the capacity to care for one another

-this project would be a great networking opportunity for those involved. It will give a social setting that would otherwise not necessarily be offered in the community.

• Positive social skills to succeed, self-esteem and confidence of youth

-youth will be given many responsibilities and task and will be working in a group setting that will model a sense of confidence and self-esteem leading to succeed in various aspects of life.

-Back to Basics’ core team is young and enthusiastic. Our positive energy is infectious and our influence rubs off on our participants and volunteers.

-there is a strong sense of accomplishment that goes along with farming. As the season progresses, you transition through different tasks, beginning with breaking ground, caring for and nurturing the crops and culminating in the harvest. Wrapping up the season and harvesting produces lasting, tangible results that you can see and taste.

Healthy Thriving Children & Youth

• Services are available at a neighbourhood level and responsive to neighbourhood needs, especially vulnerable neighbourhoods

-the community garden offers much needed, fundamental life skills to children and youth through a non-judgmental, inclusive and easily accessible environment.

Living with Dignity & Independence

• Reduced stigma of mental heath issues

-volunteers will be working along side our participants, increasing community integration.

• Social support and reduced isolation for seniors and caregivers

-creating a meaningful space for seniors to participate and have access to community.

• Participation of persons with disabilities in recreational, social, cultural and daily activities

-inclusive participation and opportunities.

• Participation in recreational, social, cultural and daily activities for persons with disabilities and seniors

- inclusive participation and opportunities.

• Emotional and mental health of children, youth, adults and seniors

-adding to a balanced lifestyle

9. List the anticipated challenges/risks associated with offering this program/project and how your organization plans to overcome them.

Challenge: Potential vandalism of gardens. Plans to overcome: Community watch. Signage at sites asking that the gardens be respected as the food is for the community, not an individual.

Challenge: Animals and weather. Plans to overcome: Some fencing will be used to fend off racoons. Rain dates will be planned for workshops.